Viewers were stunned when the characters used the words “b*****d”,” “bl***y”, “sh******” and “a***” in the BBC’s flagship soap screened at 7.30pm on Thursday.

Ofcom yesterday confirmed it may launch an investigation. The first bout of bad language started just four minutes into the episode when Sharon Mitchell, played by Letitia Dean, discovered her husband Phil had impregnated Denise Fox (played by Diane Parish).

EastEnders: Ronnie & Roxy's funeral

The bad language was met by a backlash on social media. Writing on the official EastEnders Twitter account, one disgusted viewer wrote: “What is it with the language today? Kids are still awake.”

Another viewer added: “I was horrified at the use of the words… before the watershed.”

Another fan joked that the script may have been written by one of the soap’s stars Danny Dyer, an actor known for his offscreen bad language.

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An Ofcom spokeperson said that they will consider each claim before launching an investigation

Last night an Ofcom spokesman said: “We will assess these complaints before deciding whether to investigate or not.”

But the BBC remained defiant, with a spokesman for EastEnders saying: “We are always mindful of the time slot in which we are shown. EastEnders is known for dealing with adult issues and has done so throughout the show’s history.”

He added: “Their reactions and outbursts were justified by their level of heartbreak and anger.”